- July 11, 2026
- 1:36 pm
- World News
On the night of July 11, 2026, the Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted a new large-scale operation against the Russian fleet in the waters of the Sea of Azov. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, among the targets hit was 21 Russian tanker involved in the transportation of oil and petroleum products.
These vessels were part of a system allowing Russia to bypass international sanctions and maintain revenue from energy exports. The funds received are used by the Russian regime to continue the war against Ukraine, purchase weapons, and support the military industry.
Tankers, tugs, and bulk carriers were hit.
Ukraine attacked Russia’s maritime logistics.
In addition to 21 tankers, Ukrainian forces hit four tugs, two bulk carriers, and a dredger. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, these vessels serviced Russian military logistics, transported cargo, and supported port infrastructure operations.
The exact scale of the damage is still being determined. However, the number of vessels attacked indicates that this is not a single strike but a systematic operation against the Russian presence in the Sea of Azov.
For Moscow, the loss or prolonged withdrawal from service of even part of this fleet means the need to change routes, find other vessels, and strengthen port security. All this increases transportation costs and creates additional problems for Russian oil exports.
A series of attacks has changed the situation in the Sea of Azov.
Dozens of Russian vessels were hit in a few days.
The new operation continued a series of Ukrainian attacks that began earlier in July. Before the strike on July 11, it was reported that 35 Russian tankers, bulk carriers, and special vessels were hit.
The night of July 9 was particularly successful, when Ukrainian drones hit 12 tankers, one bulk carrier, and one tug. In total, from July 6 to 9, 25 tankers, six bulk carriers, one ferry, and one tug were hit.
Thus, in a few days, Ukraine launched a series of strikes on infrastructure that was previously considered relatively protected. Russian vessels were vulnerable not only in ports but also on routes within the Sea of Azov.
Amid the attacks, Russia temporarily suspended navigation through the Don-Azov Canal, which connects the Don River with the Sea of Azov. New applications for passage through the Kerch Strait between the Azov and Black Seas were also halted.
Why this operation is important for Israel.
Strikes on tankers affect more than just the front.
For the Israeli audience, it is important to view the events as more than just another episode of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Russia finances its military machine with oil and gas revenues, and bypassing sanctions through the tanker fleet allows it to maintain exports even under international restrictions.
The defeat of vessels transporting Russian oil increases pressure on the entire supply system. This can affect routes in the Black and Mediterranean Seas, insurance costs for vessels, and the behavior of companies that continue to work with Russian cargo.
NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency considers such operations in the context of the connection between war, energy, and security. For Israel, located near the main maritime transport routes of the Eastern Mediterranean, changes in Russian oil logistics have not only political but also economic significance.
Ukraine consistently shifts pressure from the front line to objects that finance the Russian war with money, fuel, and transportation. Strikes on tankers show that vessels involved in bypassing sanctions and servicing Russian military infrastructure can no longer consider the Sea of Azov a safe zone.
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